(no subject)

[elly427]

This started out as a reply to lisayeager 's post here (friends locked) and got very, very, VERY long. Vague spoilers for season 8. Mostly just general charcter development, not plot points.

 

I think, in the grand ole scheme of things, Pete is incredibly important towards the character development of Sam. mylittleredgirl and familyarchives had this wonderful idea that Sam and Jack need to become friends, good friends, friends who if their relationship doesn't work out will still be friends. They aren't exactly friends at the moment because of work and ranks and the-love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name (theirs) and in order for their relationship to last there's got to be some personal, one-on-one friendship time, without the star-crossed lovers bit hanging over their heads.

 

I think Pete's sort of serving the same function on the show itself. Sam has been techno babble whiz kid for the last little bit. Before season seven, when was the last time Sam was personally, emotionally involved in something? Daniel dying? Before that? We don't get a lot of the real 'Sam', outside of Major Carter on the show. Hell, look at 'Ascension': the ep was about an alien living with Sam, about Sam's day to day life, and what did we learn about her? She's got a really good credit rating and she wears scarves. Ooo, and brushes her teeth before bed.

 

I think this whole Pete deal is a way for the writers to explore that other side of Sam we never get to see (I'd argue we've seen more of the personal side of Teal'c than Sam, which I think says a lot.). I also think it allows Sam to move on from being the girl whose romantic interests die within two episodes. I think Sam needs the confidence that if she allows herself to be overtly romantically interested in Jack, he's not going to croak (most likely by trying to save the world for her. See: Narim, Orlin, Lantash). Sam's got a bad history with relationships. Seriously bad. Like the worst record ever.

 

We know the producer and writer -type guys at SG are aware of this, seeing as Chimera was almost called "Black Widow Carter" and while that's funny, I think it shows a real awareness of some of the issues that have emerged surrounding Sam in the past little bit. She can't be dismissed as the brainy know-it-all who also happens to be a hot chick who has good chemistry with the male lead in every story. After 8 years the viewers demand more than that over simplification (I also think this issue is being addressed with Teal'c at the same time, as we see more of the personal side of Teal'c (Ishta) as well as his internal thought processes and what not (The Changeling) and CJ has said Teal'c gets 'chatty' this season.) Whether this is all a product of RDA being less available, I don't know and don't think it matters. I do think Pete is ultimately little more than a tool to foster a sense of self, of self-awareness, of self-confidence (AT has said that now that Sam is with Pete she's more comfortable and confident in her sexuality. I think that's true and maybe one of the end points of this story line) that we've never seen in Sam.

 

And yes, as a shipper, I ultimately think it's all a tool to get Sam and Jack together in the end. I do. The show guys in Vancouver are shippers (see: s4 and 7) and I can't imagine it's any coincidence that as soon as Pete showed up (or, as they were setting up the arrival of Pete, ie. Grace) the show got more shippy than it's been for the last three years.

 

I think what's confusing to a lot of fans is we've come to expect a certain amount of stability out of the show: Jack is the witty leader, Daniel the smart, ethical archaeologist, Sam the smart, tough scientist and Teal'c, the strong, steady silent warrior. TV Sci fi is a somewhat static genre, where roles get established early and don't change all that much (Star Trek, I think I'm looking at you). We don't quite know what to do when they start mucking around with the formula, when the leader suddenly can't lead the team like he used to, when the brainy know-it-all is finally at peace with herself enough to step away from the intellectual shell she's built herself and start seeing who she is outside of that, when the ethics guy does some pretty shady negotiating with the bad guys, when the quiet one gets chatty and grows hair.

 

But that's not the point of this, and while maybe I should stick to fiction (maybe? definitely) I think Pete is important to Sam's character development, and right now, I'm willing to allow the 'ship to take a back seat to that, because honestly, we need that development to have the ship be more than *kiss, fade to black*. And I want more than that.   

 

 

 

I meant to write fic tonight. I really, really did.

Comments

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

That? That is incredible. And amused me to no end and made me feel better.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is good for what ails you. ;)

*smoooooooches you a lot. To the point you may be uncomfortable with it*

*slobbers*